BiomesStations and Task CardsA fun way to travel through the biomes of the world and learn about

the living and nonliving factors in each.

BiomesStations and Task Cards

A fun way to travel through the biomes of the world and learn about the living and nonliving factors in each.

As students rotate through these Biome Stations, they will read about each biome and create a post card to record and process what they learn at each station. Allow students plenty of time to read the Biome Card and create their post card. This could take at least fifteen minutes a station. Plan two to three days for rotating though these stations. After the students have seen all of the stations, they can spend the next day working through the task cards. The task cards are designed to make them think about and predict the effects of changes in ecosystems caused by living things.

Included in this resource:1. (8) Biome Station cards (informational text)2. (8) Biome Post Cards (student processing)3. (8) Biome Task Cards (critical thinking)4. Biome Task Card Recording Sheet

BiomesStations

1. Print each station card and laminate for multiple use (class set).

2. Print and cut out the post cards (one set per student). Students will draw a picture on the blank back side, and write their notes on the front template.

3. Set up each station card around the room. 4. Give each student their set of postcards for the biome

stations. 5. Separate the class into 8 groups to travel with around the

biome stations.6. Set a timer and allow the groups at least fifteen minutes at

each station. Give them enough time to read through the biome information and to complete their post card. Judge the time they spend on each station by how much time they need. This could take two to three days to make it to all the stations.

*** Print the station cards and post cards on cardstock to be more durable for their travels.*** Reading Tips: Students can take turns reading aloud in their group. Tell them to read “popcorn” style, and when they say “popcorn”, the next reader of the group can pick up where they left off. This style will help readers with a shorter endurance contribute to the group reading.

BiomesStations

Modification ideas for the reading passages:

• Before starting the stations, talk about any difficult or new words you notice in the passages. Write the words and their definitions on the board for easy reference. (And, it’s a great vocabulary building activity)

• Provide sticky notes for students to record important facts or questions as they read.

• Allow students to use dry erase markers to underline important facts as they read (on laminated cards). Provide wet cloths for them to erase their marks before changing stations.

• Draw lines on the station cards to break up the reading on each into two or three sections.

• Group struggling readers together and read with them at the stations. Or,

• Group struggling readers with strong readers so they can participate and get practice with peers of higher reading levels. They can read as short a section as they feel comfortable with, and say popcorn to let the next reader take over.

Temperate ForestThe Temperate Forest Biome is known for its leaf shedding, or deciduous, forests. The weather in this biome consists ofa heavier amount of precipitationthan all the other biomes, with the exception of rainforests. Summers in the temperate forests are mild, and winters are cold. The plant life in temperate forests consists of deciduous trees, shrubs and herbs. In the spring and summer, these trees grow broad, green leaves that soak up the sunlight and help the trees photosynthesize and grow. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the winter because they cannot protect these large leaves from the cold winter. Animals in the Temperate Forests either have to adapt to the changing seasons, or find another way to survive. Birds migrate to this biome in the Spring and leave for the cold winter. Some animals here hibernate such as squirrels and bears. Wolves, cougars, and amphibians also reside in this biome.

Location: Eastern United States

CanadaEurope

China Japan

GrasslandThe Grasslands Biome is best known for its grasses. Areas of plains and prairies are found in the grasslands. Because the grasslands have such nutrient rich soil, farming is a big industry here. Tall grasses and short grasses are found here in the grasslands, as well as an occasional shrub or tree. Grasses have strong root systems to withstand the high winds and commonly occurring fires. The grasslands have hot summers and cold winters, and they get precipitation year round with rain and snow. Animals in the grasslands are mainly herbivores such as bison, deer, horses, birds, and prairie dogs. Coyotes are also found in the grasslands.

Location: North AmericaSouth America

Africa

TundraThe Tundra Biome is home to the coldest climate. It is located at the North and South poles. The tundra is windy and has very little precipitation. Its extremely low temperatures and very short growing season, limit the number of plants that can grow here. Mosses and shrubs are the main plant life that can survive in the tundra. Although there are not many plants here, many species of animals live in the tundra. Polar bears, caribou, seals, walruses, arctic foxes, arctic hares, and penguins all call the tundra home. Birds and insects also live in the tundra biome adding to the diversity of the animal life.

Location: North Pole

Arctic CircleAntarctica

Taiga The Taiga Biome is a coniferous, or evergreen, forest and is the largest terrestrial biome. Lakes, mountains, and glaciers are all found in this beautiful biome. The summers here in the taiga are short and mild, but the winters are long and harsh. Because of the amount of snowfall in the taiga, it has a high average annual precipitation. Being a coniferous forest, the main plant life found here are evergreens such as fir, pine and spruce trees. Animals in the taiga must be able to survive the harsh winters. Many species of fish such as trout and salmon can live in the ice covered waters. Bears, wolves, badgers, otters, foxes and eagles all call the taiga home.

Location: North America

EuropeAsia

RainforestThe Rainforest Biome is home to the largest variety of plant and animal species in the world. There could be millions of species that live in the rainforest biome. Rainforests have a warm, wet climate with the highest amount of rainfall out of all the biomes. Tropical rainforests are located in the region along the equator, while temperate rainforests are located in a few regions outside of the equator. The best way to describe some of the plants and animals you might find in the tropical rainforest is to divide them up into the rainforest’s layers.

The Emergent Layer:Monkeys, eagles, and bats can be found in this top layer of tall trees that grow high above the canopy layer . The Canopy Layer:This layer is filled with dense areas of tall trees and is inhabited with insects, monkeys, sloths, birds, and frogs.

Location: Equator Regions

West coast of North and South America

The Understory Layer:Jaguars, boa constrictors, spiders, lizards, leopards, and birds can all be found here among the shrubs that grow in this layer of little sunlight. The Forest Floor Layer:Fungi is common in this layer due to the very low amount of light that can get through the trees and reach this layer. Few animals live here. The millipede and the cockroach are the main animals that can be found here.

DesertThe Desert Biome is extremely dry making it difficult for plants and animals to survive. Temperatures in the desert are very high in the summer and warm for the winter. There are even some deserts in Greenland and Antarctica that are cold deserts. They are cold, but don’t get enough precipitation to provide for plant life. Very little precipitation falls in the desert so the plants and animals of the desert biome have to have special adaptations to survive on such little water. Plants of the desert must be able to find water and store it easily. They also have small leaves, or no leaves at all, in order to prevent water loss from the Sun’s heat. Plants such as cacti and sage are well adapted to live in the desert’s harsh conditions. Lizards, snakes, spiders, and insects are all specially adapted to survive in the desert. Camels, foxes, coyotes, and rabbits can also all survive in the desert.

Location: North America

Central and South AmericaAsia

AfricaAustralia

Antarctica

FreshwaterThe Freshwater Biome is an aquatic biome that includes lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams that have a low concentration of salt. Many animals live in the freshwater biome such as snakes, frogs, birds, and fish. Trout, bass, oscars, and catfish all live in the freshwater biome. Cranes and ducks are birds that live in the freshwater biome and feed off the fish and insects. Water lilies, cattails, and algae are plants that live in freshwater and provide food and shelter for freshwater animals. Freshwater biomes can be found all over the world.

Location: All over the world

MarineThe Marine Biome is an aquatic biome that includes the oceans, seas, and gulfs of the world. Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface and have a high concentration of salt. The marine biome is home to a large variety of animals. Fish, whales, sharks, crustaceans, sea anemones, and mollusks all live in the marine biome. Seals, walruses, penguins, and dolphins also live in the marine biome. Kelp and phytoplankton are plants that live in the marine biome and provide food and shelter for many marine animals.

Location: All over

the world

Temperate Forest

Grassland

Where could you travel to see this biome?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What was it like?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Where could you travel to see this biome?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What was it like?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tundra

Taiga

Where could you travel to see this biome?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What was it like?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Where could you travel to see this biome?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What was it like?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Rainforest

Desert

Where could you travel to see this biome?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What was it like?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Where could you travel to see this biome?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What was it like?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Freshwater

Marine

Where could you travel to see this biome?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What was it like?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Where could you travel to see this biome?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What was it like?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BiomesTask Cards

1. Print and cut out each task card, and laminate for multiple use (class set).

2. Print the task card record sheet for each student.3. Keep the answer keys for your reference. You can also fold

the task card page so that the answers are on the back for students to check their work. Laminate the page after it has been folded so students can flip the card over and check their work when they are done.

4. Have students write in complete sentences so they can use their record sheet as a study tool.

*** Print the task cards on cardstock to be more durable.

Temperate ForestHumans use wood for building. They will cut down trees in the forests to have wood for building supplies. Loggers are in the business of cutting down these trees.

How will humans cutting down trees in the temperate forest affect the plants and animals that live there?

Temperate Forest Possible Answers:

Answers will vary.Trees provide food and shelter for the animals who live in the forests. Trees also provide oxygen (clean air) for animals and humans to breathe. Cutting too many trees down will take food, shelter, and clean air out of this biome.

Another problem is the challenging regrowth of these trees that are cut down. Deer will eat the new trees that are starting to grow before they can get big. It is hard for the new trees to get started and grow like the ones they are replacing. Trees trying to grow in the shade of bigger, more established trees will lose in the competition for sunlight and water.

GrasslandLivestock graze in the grasslands for food. Some farmers are putting too many cattle out in the grassland to feed them. This is causing overgrazing.

How will overgrazing affect the plant life in the grassland?

Grassland Possible Answers:

Answers will vary.Cattle eating the leaves off grass and plants will keep the plants from being able to photosynthesize. Plants will die with out being able to use photosynthesis to live. Too many cattle in one area will eat all the grasses before they can grow back. The animals will not have any more food to eat.

TundraAir pollution contaminates and kills lichens in the tundra. Lichens are a major food source for animals in the tundra.

What negative effects do humans have on the tundra, and how can we prevent it?

Tundra Possible Answers:

Answers will vary.Air pollution can kill lichens. Without an abundant supply of lichens, the animals that rely on lichens for food will not have anything to eat. These animals will also die out.We can work hard to prevent air pollution by using alternative, or cleaner, energy sources. Creating protected areas such as national parks can also prevent further human pollution to the tundra.

TaigaThe climate is changing in the taiga, and becoming warmer. Warmer temperatures allow more insects to survive. The survival of more tree-eating insects can be detrimental to the trees in the taiga.

How does an overpopulation of tree-eating insects affect the taiga?

Taiga Possible Answers:

Answers will vary.An overpopulation of tree-eating insects means more trees will be damaged or killed. The animals of the taiga need trees for food and shelter.

RainforestRainforests provide wood for materials, as well as animals for food and clothing. Loggers are cutting down large sections of the rainforest for timber. Forests are being destroyed very quickly due to people using the trees for building materials and paper.

How does the removal of large areas of rainforest affect the animals that lived in that biome?

Rainforest Possible Answers:

Answers will vary.Animals will lose food and shelter when large areas of forest are cut down by humans. These animals will be displaced and many may die.

DesertNuclear waste is being dumped in some areas of the desert. Nuclear waste is very harmful to living organisms.

How could humans dumping nuclear waste in a desert affect the living things in that biome?

Desert Possible Answers:

Answers will vary.Humans dumping nuclear waste in the desert will harm the plants and animals that live there. The continual dumping of nuclear waste could kill out a species of plants or animals in the desert.

FreshwaterSome people are bringing exotic species into their local lake. Exotic species can harm and kill native plants and animals in a freshwater biome. Zebra mussels are a destructive species of mussels and have been taking over in Texas lakes. They reproduce rapidly and take over native animals’ habitats.

How can the introduction of an exotic species affect the native species in a freshwater biome?

Freshwater Possible Answers:

Answers will vary.An overpopulation of an exotic species can take the food and shelter from the native plants’ and animals’ habitats. They can be displaced or even die out.

Marine People fish in the ocean for food. Large populations of people moving to a certain area can mean more people fishing in that marine biome.

What effects might a large population of fishermen have on a marine biome?

Marine Possible Answers:

Answers will vary.Over-fishing an area can cause a depletion or extinction of a species of fish.

Biomes Task Cards Recording Sheet

How will humans cutting down trees in the temperate forest affect the plants and animals that live there?

How will overgrazing affect the plant life in the grassland?

What negative effects do humans have on the tundra, and how can we prevent it?

How does an overpopulation of tree-eating insects affect the taiga?

How does the removal of large areas of rainforest affect the animals that lived in that biome?

How could humans dumping nuclear waste in a desert affect the living things in that biome?

How can the introduction of an exotic species affect the native species in a freshwater biome?

What effects might a large population of fishermen have on a marine biome?

Predict the effects of changes in an ecosystem caused by living organisms.

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